Dean Modeste: Man charged after design graduate stabbed to death in front of schoolchildren in Mottingham

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of a 21-year-old design graduate who was stabbed to death following a fight in south east London.

Dean Modeste, 21, was chased and stabbed to death in front of children walking home from school last month.

He fled 100 yards down the street past pupils before collapsing following the attack in Mottingham at 3.45pm on February 24.

Police called to reports of a fight in Lambscroft Avenue found Mr Modeste, from Barking, slumped on the street outside a house in Charlesfield.

Paramedics battled to save his life but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Stab victim: Dean Modeste

A post mortem found he had died of multiple stab wounds.

His friends paid tribute to the “caring and loving” young man.

Speaking to the Standard the day after his death his cousin Reece Modeste said: “I’m broken. My sister told me that he had been hurt and I was just devastated. He was more like a brother than a cousin. He was loyal and always real.

'Heart of gold': Design graduate Dean Modeste

“We all got together on his birthday and listened to music. He always loved his music.”

Police said a 17-year-old boy had been arrested and charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon on Friday.

He will appear at Bromley Magistartes’ Court on Saturday.

Four other men aged 19, 18, 16 and 20 were arrested close to the scene on suspicion of murder and later bailed pending further inquiries.

Police said the 19, 18 and 16 year olds are due back in custody in late March. The 20-year-old is due back in early May.